Page 40 of Ruin

Claire sat her plate on the counter and exhaled. “Have you heard anything about Jennifer?”

“Ah,” I said with an exhale. “Unfortunately, no. The authorities are all over the hotel looking for…anything really…anything that could help piece together where she went.”

Claire nodded silently, biting her lip as her mind continued to race.

I continued, “I spoke to them this morning. They had questions about our exchange in the lobby.”

Claire’s eyes shot to me, her voice filled with concern. “What does that mean?”

I gathered our plates in my hands and faced her directly, my tone reassuring as I spoke. “It means nothing. They checked the security cameras and saw what happened. They saw Jennifer looking upset and wanted to know what was happening. I told them. And that’s that.”

Claire’s eyes widened as she whispered, “Do they think we had something to do with it?”

A laughed softly, trying not to offend her curiosity. “God, no. They just wanted to know what her mental state was.”

Claire’s shoulders dropped as she exhaled.

“So, do we take our breakfast al fresco on the terrace or at the dining table?” I asked as I steadily carried the heaping plates through the kitchen “Or…in bed?”

Claire’s eyes narrowed at my advance. “Oh, al fresco,” she proclaimed with certainty as we walked together from the kitchen and into the living quarters.

The sea breeze gently blew into us as I opened the glass doors to the terrace. I looked back at Claire, admiring the way she took in the view. Every time she saw it, her eyes lit up as if it was the first time. After so many years, I had come to not appreciate the beauty that surrounded the villa. But Claire? She found beauty in everything, and was helping me see the beauty again, as well.

With our plates sat, espresso in reach, and our bodies squeezed tightly around a bistro table on the terrace, we ate. Mostly in silence. Mostly taking in the view. And definitely enjoying every bite. Her emotions were calm, though on occasion I could feel her look at me with curiosity.

“Would you like to lie on the loungers for a while, love?” I asked as I stood to take her hand, our licked-clean plates sitting atop the table and giving me a profound sense of satisfaction.

Claire looked at my outstretched hand and then at me. Her eyes scanned the view again as a smile crept up her lips. “Absolutely. But…”

My eyes widened as I cocked my head.

She smirked, her voice laced with satisfaction. “Remember our deal? It is Monday now.”

I rolled my eyes, my arms crossing my chest.

“You said I was only yours for the weekend,” she said mockingly.

I nodded and smiled toward the sky before responding, “Actually, what I said was that as soon as you had a meeting scheduled, I would let you focus on that.” I paused, watching her smile fall. “Now, did you get a meeting with Antonio?”

Claire’s eyes narrowed. “Sneaky…. But I did email the winery. Just waiting to hear back.”

“Splendid. So once that meeting is set, you can go handle it,” I replied as a satisfied smile curled across my lips. “Now, we lounge.”

Claire rolled her eyes again, practically huffing as she nodded her head.

And with that agreement, I pulled her up from her seat. Together we walked to the lounger that sat along the glass partition with a perfectly unobstructed view of the sea. I sat down first, the white plush cushions giving way under my form. Claire—sweet, sweet Claire—began to sit at the edge, near my feet.

“Absolutely not.” I chuckled as I grabbed her by the waist.

Laughter escaped her lips as I pulled her body up against mine, my legs parted around her form, and her back rested against my chest. She radiated warmth, not just physically but mentally; the kind of warmth that melts me. She had a way of turning my ice-cold demeanor—built from years of duty and longing—into a puddle of admiration, devotion, and what I was sure was obsession.

We lay there for hours, taking in the view, talking about everything and nothing, and feeling the cool breeze against our faces until the sun rose high in the sky. From time to time, I would pull the hair back from her neck, nuzzling my face into the crook, and gently kissing her sensitive spots until I felt her shiver against my torso. I held her in the abyss of pure bliss that surrounded us, feeling her settle into me and her mind go quiet as she drifted to sleep.

Hours later, when she awoke, the sun was setting. I had held her there, wrapped up in her the same way she was wrapped up in me. It could have gone on for centuries and still not had been long enough.

She woke up slowly, gently, as I tightened my grasp around her and brought my lips to her neck once more. I wanted, deep in my bones, for this to be the best moment of her life.

“Rested?” I whispered into her ear as she yawned softly.